Donner Memorial State Park, State park and National Historic Landmark in Truckee, California.
Donner Memorial State Park is a park and national landmark in Truckee, California, with hiking and shoreline trails along Donner Lake. The lake sits at roughly 6000 feet (1800 m) elevation in the Sierra Nevada and is surrounded by forested mountain slopes.
The park honors a group of American settlers who became trapped in deep snow here in 1846. Many did not survive the winter, and their story became a turning point for later routes through the Sierra Nevada.
The on-site museum displays items and exhibits from the era when pioneers crossed the Sierra Nevada in the 1800s. Visitors see reconstructed cabins and learn how travelers protected themselves against cold and isolation.
Visitors can swim, boat, and fish at the lake, while in winter the area invites snowshoeing and skiing. The park offers campsites and picnic areas, and the trails are designed for different walking abilities.
The Pioneer Monument's granite base rises 22 feet, the height of the snow during the winter of 1846–1847. Sculptor John MacQuarrie's 17.5-foot bronze statue "The Pioneer" stands on top, bringing the total height to 39.5 feet. The monument was unveiled on June 6, 1918, with three Donner Party survivors present.
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